It cannot cripple

Thank you to everyone for your kind wishes. I will respond to each in due course, because I really appreciate each comment. Tonight we went to the viewing, where tons of people came and wished us well.

Tonight I post a talk my mother gave during her life, to a "Race for the Cure" group to which she belonged. I think it says a lot about her, and perhaps a few things about her influence on me. I set it out

My mother said:

"In January 2003 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 c Periotoneal cancer. Since no one can spell periotoneal, it is usually listed as Ovarian, we all know how to spell ovarian. I am in my second round of chemo and I am a survivor. I read somewhere that the chemo also affects two other parts of our bodies-our hearing and something else---oh yeah, our memory.

Cancer. The very word scares us silly. But Cancer is so limited. It cannot cripple love nor shatter hope, it cannot erode faith. Nor kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories, silence courage. It cannot quench the spirit and it cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

In fact like one of the late nite talk shows, I tried to list a few good things about cancer.10. I no longer have bad hair days.11. I have finally reached the weight that I have claimed on my driver’s license for years.12. I have a wonderful excuse for any activity that I don’t want to do anyway 13. Total strangers hug my neck and tell me they are praying for me.14. I get lots of funny and touching email from old and new friends and I have passed many of them on to you tonight15. I can win arguments with my husband.16. Once in a while, I can enjoy a real “pity party” and get extra attention, but one thing I have realized, I’m too old now to die young.17. And one day when I find there is nothing left but God, that is when I find out that God is all I need.

In the midst of pain, most people feel quite alone; and in one sense, each person’s experiences are unique. But on the other hand very few of us are completely alone. Others do care and others do want to “be there for us” Sometimes we are to blame for not allowing people to be part of our lives..Risk your pride, invite other people to be a part of your experience.

This may your time to witness to someone else. This wonderful group of volunteers have accepted the challenge of curing cancer, and with their determination and stick to it ness I know they will, They could stay at home and be a victim of cancer but they are here for you and for me and for millions of others who have cancer.

Norman Vincent Peale said “No matter how dark things seem to be, or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities-always see them for they’re always there”. I believe in the power of positive thinking, and my diagnosis has not changed my mind.

I have enjoyed this little message too that someone sent me earlier this year. I keep on my heart. This is not the party I planned, but as long as I am here, I might as well dance. I invite you to join the dance too. After all what do you have to lose? The best thing you have to give is yourself.In this crowd it is hard to feel sorry for yourself because there are so many here who have walked in your shoes, or have known a worse diagnosis, and they are working and raising money for someone else. perhaps me and you.Look to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and Tomorrow is only a vision.But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of Hope. May the Lord be with you".